Day One of the 1,035 mile ride from Atlanta to New York was slated to end in Ellijay.

Among the riders are local business owner Jon Hudgens, the Art of Hair, (seen in front far right) and Mike Palmeri, who was a co-creator of the cycling tribute for 9/11. Palmeri owns Cartecay Bikes in Ellijay. The event began as an idea for Palmeri and one other fireman to make the ride in time to be in New York to commemorate the 9/11 attacks but kept growing as the idea caught on.